CMP invited several businesses who helped out line crews during the Christmas week ice storm. It left trees, wires and roadways encased in ice.

Many of the guests of honor in Augusta opened up their businesses to give crews a meal and a place to stay.

"I love this community and have been in Maine all my life and I don't give up...I don't give up. And everybody pulled together in the community. It was like..to make the best of the worst situation. That's exactly what happened. And I can't stop smiling," Red Barn owner Laura Benedict said.

CMP officials said because of the business' help, the recovery from the ice storm went smoothly and safely.

CALL IT A "POWER LUNCH" PUT ON BY C- M-P IN AUGUSTA TODAY. CENTRAL MAINE POWER HOSTED THE EVENT TO SAY THANK YOU TO SEVERAL BUSINESSES FOR HELPING OUT DURING THE CHRISTMAS WEEK ICE STORM. AS YOU'LL REMEMBER THE STORM LEFT TREES, WIRES AND ROADWAYS ENCASED IN ICE.... MANY OF THE GUESTS OF HONOR TODAY - OPENED UP THEIR BUSINESSES TO GIVE CREWS A PLACE TO STAY - AND A WARM MEAL. "I love this community and have been in Maine all my life and I don't give up...I don't give up. And everybody pulled together in the community. It was like ..to make the best of the worst situation. That's exactly what happened. And I can't stop smiling. C-M-P OFFICIALS SAY BECAUSE OF THE HELP FROM THESE BUSINESSES - THE RECOVERY FROM THE ICE STROM WENT MUCH SMOOTHER - AND SAFER.